Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) has awarded local contractor, Al-Naboodah Contracting, cAED275 million contract to complete the external works for the passenger terminal building expansion project at Al-Maktoum International Airport. The contract is understood to include expanding the parking spaces available and other associated services connected to the building. This followed another award last month to local contractor, Alec, to expand the passenger terminal building at the Al-Maktoum International Airport, whereby the airport’s built-up area will increase from the existing 66,107 sqm to 145,926 sqm before end of June 2017. Subsequent expansions are expected to bring the airport’s annual passenger handling capacity to 26.5 million by 2025. A much larger expansion of the airport, with a budget estimated at USD33 billion, is being planned. This expansion will result in Al-Maktoum International Airport becoming the world’s largest by 2025, with a capacity to handle 130 million passengers annually. Subsequent phases of the project are expected to bring total capacity to over 220 million passengers by 2050. The DAEP has received bids for the enabling works contract for the mega-expansion projects on 21 March. It has also received offers from consultants for the design of the terminal building and other landside structures. (MEED)